CPS Touts Safe Haven Programs During Spring Break

CPS Touts Safe Haven Programs During Spring Break

CHICAGO (CBS) — Officials at the Chicago Public Schools were urging parents to take advantage of its expanded Safe Haven during spring break later this month.

WBBM Newsradio’s Mike Krauser reports the program will offer activities for about 10,000 students while they’re off school for a week from April 14 to April 18.

“I strongly encourage our parents and our families to take advantage of it. We are going to make sure that we are having our principals get the word out. We’re going to do robocalls. We’re going to make sure that we send written communications out, so that our parents know that this is available for our children to take advantage,” said CPS Chief Executive officer Barbara Byrd-Bennett.

The faith-based initiatives office at CPS has listed 100 locations throughout the city, mostly churches, where kids can take advantage of educational programs, meals, and other activities over spring break.

“I firmly believe that it does take a village, and that that’s more than words; and Safe Haven and Safe Passage show us that it’s more than a cliché,” Byrd-Bennett said.
Ministers involved in the Safe Haven program met with Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Thursday at a West Side church that will host activities this spring.

“The ultimate goal is a different value, and I want us to all think about this,” Emanuel said. “If, God forbid, something happens in Englewood, it tears at the heart of Edgewater. If, God forbid, something happens in South Shore, Sauganash can’t sleep.”